You have a character your audience loves or a brand ready for its first plush toy. But interest is one thing. Knowing how many people will buy—and how many toys to order—is another.
Ordering more usually lowers the price per toy. Starting with 100 pieces limits your initial inventory commitment and gives you real feedback before you order more.
At Sérsniðinn PlushMaker, our minimum order is 100 pieces per design, per color. For independent designers, creators, small brands, and event organizers, that can be a practical starting point.
1. Spend Less Upfront, Even with a Higher Unit Price
The lowest price per toy does not always mean the best first purchase. Your total spending and the number of products you need to sell matter, too.
Here is a simple example:
| Comparison | 100-Piece Order | 2,000-Piece Order |
| Assumed price per toy | $10 | $5 |
| Total product cost | $1,000 | $10,000 |
| Inventory left after selling 80 toys | 20 toys | 1,920 toys |
All amounts are in U.S. dollars. These hypothetical prices illustrate the comparison and are not CustomPlushMaker quotes. They exclude sample development, shipping, duties, taxes, and other project expenses.
In this example, the smaller order costs twice as much per toy but requires $9,000 less upfront for products.
That leaves more money available for photography, marketing, selling expenses, and future inventory. When demand is uncertain, that flexibility can be more useful than the lowest unit price.
A smaller purchase does not guarantee a profit, however. If you plan to resell the toys, include all relevant expenses when setting your retail price.
2. Test Actual Demand Before Ordering More
Positive comments and likes are encouraging. A launch answers a more useful question: will customers buy at your asking price?
A 100-piece run gives you products to sell and feedback to guide your next order.
| What You Can Learn | How It Helps |
| How many toys sell and how quickly | Plan reorder quantities and timing |
| Who buys | Identify your core customers |
| Which channels bring in sales | Focus your marketing efforts |
| What buyers say about size, feel, and appearance | Improve the product or its presentation |
| What questions or issues come up | Improve listings and customer support |
Sales results need context. Limited promotion can make a good product sell slowly. A quick sellout among your most enthusiastic fans does not automatically mean a much larger batch will sell at the same pace.
The first run gives you evidence for your next decision, rather than a guaranteed forecast.
3. Buy for the Audience or Event You Have
Not every project needs thousands of plush toys. A small audience, limited release, or one-time event may only need a small production run.
For these buyers, 100 pieces can be a complete order—not just a test batch.
| Project | Why 100 Pieces May Make Sense |
| Independent designer or original character merchandise | Launch a first physical product without committing to a large inventory |
| VTuber or creator merchandise | Start with a quantity suited to the audience’s likely buying interest |
| Etsy shop or small-brand launch | Try a plush product while keeping additional stock manageable |
| Author merchandise | Supply book signings, reader events, and online sales |
| Small event or promotion | Order closer to the number you expect to distribute |
| Crowdfunding project | Fulfill a smaller reward tier when backer quantities and the budget support it |
For events, work backward from the date you need the toys. Allow time for development, sample approval, production, and shipping.
For crowdfunding, base your order on confirmed reward quantities and delivery commitments. A low minimum order does not remove the need to plan fulfillment carefully.
4. Make Improvements Before a Larger Run
An approved sample helps you check the design, materials, and workmanship. Customer feedback reveals how the product fits into everyday use—as a gift, collectible, display piece, or keychain.
Sometimes the next step is a design change. Sometimes better photos or clearer product information solve the problem.
| Customer Feedback | Possible Response |
| “I thought it would be bigger.” | Add handheld photos, measurements, and size comparisons |
| Many customers buy it as a gift | Consider gift packaging that fits the budget |
| The keychain feels awkward to carry | Review the size, attachment, or hardware |
| Buyers repeatedly mention one design detail | Discuss a revision with the manufacturer |
Starting small means fewer units are already in stock when you discover something worth improving.
Before changing the shape, size, materials, or accessories, ask whether the revision requires a new sample or additional development fees.
5. Learn How the Manufacturer Works
Your first order also gives you experience with the supplier—from the first design discussion to delivery.
A 100-piece order lets you go through that process with a smaller purchasing commitment.
Leitaðu að:
- Clear design communication. Does the supplier understand your character and explain production recommendations?
- Accurate revisions. Are your sample changes recorded and addressed?
- Useful updates. Are specifications, progress, and important decisions communicated clearly?
- Consistent delivery. Do the products and packaging meet the agreed requirements?
- Responsive problem-solving. Is there a clear way to address issues?
A small order still needs an approved sample, agreed specifications, and clear quality expectations. Completing one helps you evaluate the working relationship before making a larger commitment.
6. Reorder Based on Results
After the first launch or event, you can decide whether to reorder, revise the design, or increase the quantity.
| First-Run Result | What You Might Do Next |
| Steady sales and positive feedback | Reorder the same design and compare prices at different quantities |
| Interest, but slower sales | Keep inventory modest while improving marketing or distribution |
| Repeated requests for a design change | Review revisions and sampling costs |
| The project ends with no ongoing demand | Avoid buying more simply to get a lower unit price |
At CustomPlushMaker, we keep each project’s sewing patterns, fabric and accessory specifications, cutting templates and files, and embroidery digitizing files on record for future production.
For a repeat order with no changes to the design or specifications, we do not charge the original sample development fee again.
Each batch still requires production preparation. Production and shipping costs are quoted for the new order. Design or specification changes are reviewed separately for any additional development work.
Is Starting with 100 Right for You?
A 100-piece first order is worth considering if:
- You are launching your first plush product and demand is uncertain.
- You serve a small audience or plan a limited release.
- You need roughly 100 toys for an event.
- You want to keep more of your budget available for marketing and operations.
- You want firsthand experience with production and delivery before ordering more.
If you already have substantial confirmed orders or steady demand, a larger run may be a better fit.
Compare total spending, unit cost, inventory, and reorder lead time together. A smaller order limits inventory exposure, but it also means you may need to replenish sooner if sales are strong.
Starting a 100-Piece Order with CustomPlushMaker
Our minimum is 100 pieces per design, per color. You cannot combine different designs or color versions to reach 100 pieces.
For example, ordering the same bear in brown and white requires 100 brown bears and 100 white bears—200 pieces total.
We accept 100-piece orders for short-pile and long-pile plush toys, small plush keychains, and oversized plush toys. Sample development is quoted separately from production.
Starting with 100 can help you launch with less inventory, collect customer feedback, and plan your next purchase with more confidence.
Looking for a custom plush manufacturer with a low MOQ of 100 pieces? Contact CustomPlushMaker with your artwork, preferred size, colors, intended use, and target delivery date. We will review your project and provide separate sample development and production quotes so you can evaluate your first order.
Algengar spurningar
Why start with 100 custom plush toys?
A 100-piece order lets you launch with less inventory, collect customer feedback, and evaluate demand before ordering more. It can also suit limited releases, small events, and projects serving a focused audience.
Is ordering 100 pieces cheaper than ordering 2,000?
The price per toy is usually higher at 100 pieces, but the total purchase amount can be much lower. Compare the full project budget—including development, production, shipping, and other expenses—rather than unit price alone.
Can 100 pieces help me test demand?
Yes. A small launch can show who buys, how quickly the toys sell, and what customers think. Results also depend on price, promotion, and sales channels, so an early sellout or slow start does not guarantee future performance.
Who might benefit from a 100-piece order?
Independent designers, VTubers and other creators, authors, Etsy sellers, small brands, and event organizers may find 100 pieces suitable when the quantity matches their audience, budget, and project needs.
What are the tradeoffs of starting with 100 pieces?
You generally pay more per toy, and one-time development costs are spread across fewer units. If sales are strong, you may also need to reorder sooner and allow time for production and shipping.
Will I pay the original development fee again when I reorder?
At CustomPlushMaker, an unchanged reorder does not incur the original sample development fee again. Changes to the design or specifications are reviewed separately. Production and shipping are quoted for each new order.
Can I combine designs or colors to reach 100 pieces?
No. CustomPlushMaker’s minimum is 100 pieces per design, per colorway. For example, the same toy in two colorways requires 100 of each, for 200 pieces total.
